Panthers camp provides Patrick Payton an opportunity

JEFF HAWKINS | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Patrick Payton, who played college football at Florida State and LSU, runs during a drill at the Carolina Panthers' rookie minicamp in Charlotte. Payton, an undrafted rookie free agent was 2022 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year at Florida State.

Patrick Payton reflected Friday when he passed a sign reading “First NFL practice: What would you say to your 10-year-old self?” 

The former LSU and Florida State linebacker went a bit deeper with his thoughts as the Carolina Panthers’ rookies and undrafted free agents made their way to the practice fields. The undrafted outside linebacker recounted when he first became attracted to football.  

Moments before his first professional practice, Payton said, “In my mind, I was thinking about the 4-year-old. I was just telling myself, I remember watching TV: ‘I want to be there ... I want to be in the NFL.’ “ 

Payton has a shot. 

Along with 36 other prospects, Payton executed on-field drills, attempting to catch a coach’s attention for a space on the 91-man roster.  

“Excited to have all these guys come out here,” coach Dave Canales said. “The greatest value in it is going through our drills where we have an apples-to-apples comparison: Do these guys fit with what we’re doing.  We’ll go through this camp and make some decisions on some of the guys not officially on the roster.” 

During 11-on-11 drills, Payton beat former Vanderbilt tackle Isaia Glass off the line of scrimmage to chase to quarterback Haynes King, who rolled in the opposite direction. Payton finished a step behind. 

Payton, the 2022 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, broke out as a redshirt freshman with 31 tackles and five sacks in 13 games. As a junior, Payton recorded 44 tackles, 10 pass breakups and seven sacks to help the Seminoles to a 13-1 campaign. 

With 33.5-inch arms, Payton has the measurables Carolina covets. At 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, he recorded a 4.65-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. 

Hearing NFL draft buzz since his freshman campaign, Payton realized his game was too one-dimensional. Needing to improve as a run defender, he transferred to LSU for his final season. 

“At Florida State, I was more of a run-around-the-tackle type of guy,” Payton said. “When I went to LSU, I got with coach (Kevin) Peoples, a great coach. He helped me with my run defense.  Here, it’s about technique and listening to the coaches.” 

Payton possesses a skill set the Panthers lack: straight-ahead, pass-rushing speed that created 36.5 tackles for loss in college. Carolina ranked No. 28 in sacks last season with 30.   

General manager Dan Morgan invested heavily in the edge position by signing Jaelan Phillips to a four-year, $120-million free-agent contract last March.  Can Payton eventually earn a role at a cheaper price? 

It may come down to his ability to stop the run. The Panthers yielded 123.3 rushing yards per game last season during their run to the NFC South title. In 2024, the injury-riddled unit surrendered an NFL-high 179.8 yards. 

Odds often remain long for rookie minicamp invitees, but Payton embraced the opportunity. 

“Everybody wants to be a drafted guy, but God sometimes puts you in a situation to test you to see if you really want it,” he said. “I’m thankful.  I want to show them I want it.” 

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